Corn Conditions Slip, Soybeans Steady

The condition of the nation’s corn crop declined slightly last week, while soybean conditions remained unchanged for the second consecutive week. Corn silking reached 97 percent, with 72 percent of the crop in the dough stage and 27 percent dented. Overall, 71 percent of corn was rated good-to-excellent, while eight percent was very poor to poor. Soybeans are on track, with 95 percent blooming and 82 percent setting pods. Crop condition remained steady, with 68 percent good-to-excellent and eight percent very poor to poor. Winter wheat harvest is nearly finished, with 94 percent complete nationwide, slightly behind last year’s 96 percent and the five-year average of 95 percent. Spring wheat harvest reached 36 percent complete, seven percentage points ahead of last year and matching the five-year average. Crop condition remains a concern, with 50 percent rated good-to-excellent, up slightly from last week, while 18 percent is very poor to poor, 13 percentage points above last year.